RECORD-BREAKERS RONO, KIPROTICH RECOGNIZED BY USTFCCCA

Titus Kiprotich (left) and Mildred Rono (right) were named USTFCCCA National Runners of the Week after breaking school records at the MSSU Stampede on Saturday in Joplin, MO.
September 22, 2025

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

A pair of record-setting Hutchinson Community College cross country runners were recognized by the United States Track and Field & Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their weekend performances at the Missouri Southern Stampede.

Blue Dragon men's sophomore runner Titus Kiprotich and women's freshman runner Mildred Rono were named NJCAA Division I National Runners of the Week by the USTFCCCA on Monday after breaking Hutchinson cross country records.

Kiprotich finished second at the MSSU Stampede with a time of 23:30.40. The sophomore from Iten, Kenya broke his own team record, which he set in a ninth-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA National championships. It's the third time in his career, Kiprotich has owned Hutchinson's 8K cross country record.

Dating back to last year, this is the fourth-straight 8K race that the Blue Dragon men's record has fallen – held either by Kiprotich or teammate Dennis Cheruiyot.

Running the first 5K race of her collegiate career, Rono set a Blue Dragon women's 5K record in winning the Missouri Southern Stampede.

Rono, from Eldoret, Kenya, won her second race of the season, posting a winning time of 16:49.23. Rono won the race by 11.41 seconds. Rono also won the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic in August.

Rono broke the Blue Dragon women's cross country 5K record formerly held by Faith Jepchirchir of 16:55.33 set last season.